There’s a lot of talk around about how the “flattening” of the marketplace is slowing, or that it’s been overstated. But globalization, like most market forces, occurs in successive approximations. It’s sluggish in over-regulated markets while it accelerates in open markets. But it’s certainly happening–the evidence seems overwhelming.
Competitiveness will be further reinforced by collaboration-enabling tools including social media. Meanwhile, a critical mass of worldwide governments is creating conditions for even greater competition and openness which will drive even more cross-border collaboration.
History has shown that some markets will lag while others quicken their pace. It’s critical to understand how factors “on the ground” affect globalization.
The Oxford Handbook of Business History provides a context for understanding how flattening may unfold. The authors offer comprehensive, cross-disciplinary look at business history which they organize into four parts: Approaches and Debates; Forms of Business Organization; Functions of Enterprise; and Enterprise and Society. For those who want a a context for what’s next, it’s a companion resource to Michael Porter’s The Competitive Advantage of Nations and Ted Levitt’s work on global marketing.
Want more on this subject? Check out the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report (’07-’08).
Subscribe to this blog's feed
Follow Me on Twitter
